132 FOX-HOUND, FOREST, AND PRAIRIE. 



right back in the saddle once again. " Forrard ! forrard ! ' r 

 We must scream, for the good of our half-taught pack and a 

 vent to our own enthusiasm. You might cover the first ten 

 couple " with a sheet " given that the sheet be large enough 

 as they dip down to the Segore Brook, a stony rocky streamlet, 

 with a pretentious pool here and there. Hounds rise the other 

 side, with the jackal not fifty yards before them ; but don't 

 imagine he is beat or even slow. It is merely a nonchalant 

 way of his. He can make that fifty yards a hundred at any 

 moment he chooses ; and to toy with his annoyers appears to- 

 be but a pleasant pastime to this sinewy traveller. Now is the 

 time to ride and cheer them on ; but this brook will puzzle 

 you, whether we have mounted you on our best, or you depend 

 on the hireling of Ootacamund. In the former case, dismount 

 and lead over the half-covered boulders. In the latter, you 

 may, if you like, join the gallant Lancer, who is already 

 swimming about the deepest pool, and congratulating himself 

 on the pleasant change from the burning heat of Secunderabad. 

 Now is the time for riding to catch 'em ; and catch 'em you 

 can't, for they can stream up a hill (at least a certain number 

 of them) much quicker than you can mount it, work your 

 elbows and use your spurs never so wisely or well. If you can 

 keep the leading hounds in sight you must be riding a well- 

 bred one as Walers go for, let who likes say the contrary, I 

 venture the opinion that no Arab can live the pace, when 

 hounds really settle to work over this hilly grass. So struggle 

 on with the tail as best you can ; hustle up to each brow, and 

 push down each declivity ; skirt the bogs in the valleys, or 

 mark carefully the bullock crossings. We have been running 

 half-an-hour (if a watch that has been a few months in India 

 is to be depended on) ; but there is no slackening of speed 

 i.e., horses and hounds have been throughout at their utmost, 

 and rather more, when we enter a green sholah again in view 

 of our jack. Gather your few couple together, and try and 

 push him to death in covert. He has fairly beaten you and 

 yours over the open. Well, if you can't do this, mark him to 



